K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 10
June 14, 2022
Word Count Challenge Update: Week Two
It’s day 14 of my 15k in 30 days (500 words a day) challenge. I’ve had a good writing week, considering I didn’t get anything written on the 9th due to adulting.
Word Count Totals:8th: 828
9th: 0
10th: 1134
11th: 712
12th: 545
13th: 777
14th: 580
That’s a grand total of 4,576 words this week, and a fantastic 8,890 since the 1st of June.
See you again on the 21st, and I’ll have a few teasers ready.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
June 7, 2022
Word Count Challenge Update: Week One
It has been a week since I started my 15k in 30 days (500 words a day) challenge, and I have been pleasantly surprised with how easy it has been to schedule thirty minutes each morning to get at least 500 words written.
Word Count Totals:1st: 675
2nd: 519
3rd: 535
4th: 576
5th: 961 (I know, right? Who even am I?)
6th: 546
7th: 502
That’s a grand total of 4,314 words!!
I shall post weekly updates, so keep your eyes peeled!
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
June 3, 2022
15k in 30 Days
I am desperately trying to get words written, and it is incredibly hard with kids, life, school holidays etc.
For the month of June, I am challenging myself to write 15k in 30 days. If I can find time to sit and write just 500 words a day, I’ll be 15k words further into my draft on July 1st. That sounds awesome and I’m feeling motivated!
If you need a little accountability too, feel free to join in and let me know!
I shall post updates weekly, so keep your eyes peeled!
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
May 27, 2022
Prompt Me Monthly: May
Welcome back for May’s picture prompt!!
Each month, I will choose a picture to inspire me to write a paragraph. Some of my novels have even started this way!
Join in if you wish. Remember to tag me, so I can read your interpretations.
May’s Picture Prompt:
It’s as if he appeared out of nowhere. I didn’t see him emerge from the trees or even hear the crunch of gravel on the track. I glanced back over shoulder for a moment, and as soon as I looked back he was standing right in front of me.
All in black and his hood pulled low over his face, he held a card out in front of him. “What do you see?”
“Excuse me?”
He didn’t move and inch. “On the card- what do you see?”
Wanting the encounter over quickly and worried I would antagonise him by not playing along, I took a proper look at the card. “Umm, well, it’s a white tiger.”
He nodded curtly and placed the card inside his pocket. “That’s what I hoped you’d say. I’ll be in touch soon, Bea.”
I recoiled at his use of my name. My phone ringing startled me all the more. I quickly fumbled in my pocket to retrieve it, and when I looked up he was gone.
I hope you enjoyed my writing prompt post. Come back on the 28th of every month for more.
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May 13, 2022
Why Do You Write?
Do you ever ask yourself why you write? My answer is always because I just have to- because I love telling stories, and most importantly, I want to tell stories that I want to read.
Money isn’t a factor for me. I would love to make good money from writing, but I’m an indie author and I’m a realistic one.
Making a full time living as an indie author is no easy feat, but if we write for the love and the fun, and to let our stories be heard, then we’re already winning in my book. If we can make a living off of it too, then that’s a bonus! If not, hey ho, we’re doing what we love, right?
If just one reader loves my story, then I’m ecstatic. That’s why, as a reader, I like to let authors know when I love their book!
I think the writing community is fantastic and supportive, and we are a group of like minded people who share a passion for telling stories. Whether traditionally or indie published, making a good living from our books or not, we are all in this together. I wouldn’t give that up!
Do you think I’m right? Or do you think that authors should strive for wealth? Are you happy to write your stories regardless? Let me know in the comments.
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April 27, 2022
Prompt Me Monthly: April
Welcome back for April’s picture prompt!!
Each month, I will chose a picture to inspire me to write a paragraph. Some of my novels have even started this way!
Join in if you wish. Remember to tag me, so I can read your interpretations.
April’s Prompt:
I can recall how the setting sun lit up the clouds like gold, how the wind was warm and smelt like barbecues, and most vividly of all, I can feel the itch of my Easter rabbit costume against my skin.
I can’t remember what her last words were to me or even if she cried. I can barely remember being carried into my grandmother’s house by Uncle Sol who, at the time, was a stranger to me. That day is now a blur of real memories and what I was told through the years.
As a child, I promised myself that I’d remember every last detail when she returned for me. For years, I waited for her to knock on the door and whisk me away to our happy ever after. Now, I’m a grown man with my own kids, I promise that I won’t give her the time day- a favour returned.
I hope you enjoyed my writing prompt post. Come back on the 28th of every month for more.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
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April 12, 2022
Finding Your Muse with Music
Do you like to write to music or do you need silence? I find so much inspiration in music, and I will play a piece over and over if I feel it is helping me set the tone for a chapter.
‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato
Why I Think Music is Important for Imagination:1. Music is emotive and stirs up imagery. Music conjures up feelings that relate to memories or allows are minds to wander on a daydream using the creative part of our brains.
2. Music is known to be useful for increasing energy levels and motivation. It can also help to listen to fast tempo and upbeat songs for fast action chapters and vice versa.
Surgeons are known to listen to music to either calm them or keep them working to a certain speed.
‘Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.’ – Leonard Bernstein
What do you think? Would you try listening to different genres of music to see if it sparks creativity?
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March 27, 2022
Prompt Me Monthly: March
Welcome back for March’s picture prompt!!
Each month, I will chose a picture to inspire me to write a paragraph. Some of my novels have even started this way!
Join in if you wish. Remember to tag me, so I can read your interpretations.
March’s Prompt:
My father’s words swirl around my brain like a vortex. “You mustn’t show weakness, Elmana. A queen should be self-assured, confident, if not a little feared by her people.”
I’m not like my father at all. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in this situation I wish I was.
I raised my voice at a guard this evening; channeled my father to prove I am in charge. He was questioning military tactics, but addressed Lewyn, my Hand, as if the little girl wearing the crown was a front- woman who couldn’t possibly have any knowledge of war.
I am well educated in all areas of my role. My father never failed to express his disappointment at not fathering a son and worked me doubly hard because of it. Just because I am kind, I am not weak or stupid.
I am desperately fighting to find the balance. Right now, that consists of putting on a front for the people, but crying my heart out when I am alone.
I hope you enjoyed my writing prompt post. Come back on the 28th of every month for more.
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March 13, 2022
What Am I Working On?
I thought I’d do a quick post to let you know what I am working on. As you know, I have published writing prompt books: Prompt Me & 50 Writing Prompts for children. Available here: Amazon
I am now working on a set of 4 seasonal writing prompt books.
I am currently still writing the prompts for these, but hopefully editing will start in April. I hope to release them as individual books, but at the same time.
Keep your eyes peeled for more updates in the future.
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February 27, 2022
Prompt Me Monthly: February
Welcome back for February’s picture prompt!!
Each month, I will chose a picture to inspire me to write a paragraph. Some of my novels have even started this way!
Join in if you wish. Remember to tag me, so I can read your interpretations.
February’s Prompt:
I find it bizarre that they dress us up like kings and queens with floral crowns, gowns and robes, only to kill us. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to be one of the chosen. It is an honour to the family if the eldest child is chosen as a sacrifice. I just find the ceremony and pomp to be a little unnecessary.
Mother doesn’t even cry as she says goodbye. Like I said, she is proud that my life will be one of the sacrifices to benefit the community for the next five years.
I hope you enjoyed my writing prompt post. Come back on the 28th of every month for more.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
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